With more than a million visitors annually, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona remains one of the most important historic memorials for one of the most devastating incidents in American history. The monument marks the place where the USS Arizona battleship was attacked and sunk by the Japanese on December 7, 1941 and led to the United States involvement in World War II.

When planning your visit to Pearl Harbor, it’s best to get there early in the morning before the tour buses arrive. Although tours are self guided, you’ll want to make time to view the 23-minute documentary film that explains the history and details of the Pearl Harbor attack. The memorial also offers interesting insights into the everyday lives of the soldiers before the attack.

The memorial spans the sunken hull of the USS Arizona without actually touching it. Make sure to visit the Shrine Room, which lists the names of the 1,177 soldiers who lost their lives. Visitors can pay respects to honor the fallen sailors by tossing flowers from an opening within the monument. Traditional Hawaiian leis are placed on guardrails located in front of the names of the fallen.

Whether you have ties to those that died or just want to experience history, your visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona in Hawaii will be a moving experience. Let Choice Hotels provide you with just the right accommodations to make your visit unforgettable. You can earn Choice Privileges points for your stay in Hawaii by booking accommodations on ChoiceHotels.com or calling 800.4CHOICE today.